**[Arsenal](https://sportwitness.co.uk/category/premier-league/arsenal/) forward Gabriel Martinelli has suggested the Premier League remains more intense than the ongoing World Cup, despite the quality on show in North America.**
The Brazil international [**spoke to reporters**](https://ge.globo.com/futebol/copa-do-mundo/noticia/2026/06/22/martinelli-diz-que-prefere-jogar-na-esquerda-e-compara-premier-league-e-mais-intensa-que-a-copa.ghtml) ahead of his country’s clash with Scotland and was asked to compare the current tournament with life in England, where he has spent the past seven seasons with Arsenal.
Martinelli helped the Gunners win the Premier League title last season and believes English football still sets the standard for intensity. However, he pointed to the conditions being experienced across the United States, Canada and Mexico as a major factor.
_“I don’t think so. The Premier League is very intense, but because of the heat, the players can’t reach the same level as the league,”_ he explained.
_“Sometimes players aren’t used to playing with each other, but I think the Premier League remains more intense than this World Cup, also because of the heat and the pitches we’ve been playing on. But it’s still a very beautiful World Cup, with quality matches and high intensity.”_
**Martinelli ready to fill Raphinha void**
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Gabriel Martinelli was also asked about his role in the Brazil squad after Raphinha suffered a thigh injury.
The Arsenal winger admitted he is most comfortable on the left flank, where he has built much of his reputation under Mikel Arteta. However, he stressed that he is available to play anywhere Carlo Ancelotti requires.
_“First of all, we’re sad about what happened to Raphinha and we’re praying for him to return as quickly as possible. We have a lot of quality players in attack.”_
_“I prefer playing on the left, but at Arsenal I’ve played a lot on the right. I also played on the right against France under Ancelotti. I’ll leave it in the manager’s hands. He decides.”_
Martinelli later expanded on the differences between the two positions and explained that the role changes depending on the system and the players around him.
_“It’s very different. Every team has its own way of playing. When I play on the right wing for Arsenal it’s completely different from playing on the right wing here. It depends on who is beside me and the formation we’re using.”_
_“It’s much easier to receive the ball on the right, go to the byline and cross. Or come inside and allow the full-back to overlap. It depends on the formation and the player next to me.”_
His willingness to adapt was underlined by perhaps his most memorable answer of the press conference.
_“I said I prefer playing on the left, but I played a lot on the right for Arsenal two seasons ago because Saka was injured. I can do it comfortably.”_
_“If he tells me to play right-back, I’ll say, ‘Of course, Mister, you can put me there’.”_
**Scotland warning includes familiar faces**
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Gabriel Martinelli also looked ahead to Brazil’s meeting with Scotland and highlighted several players he knows well from English football.
_“It will be a difficult game. They have a lot of quality players”_, he said._“There’s McGinn, who we always face with Aston Villa, and Robertson.”_
_“They will come with everything to try to win, but we’re training hard. It will be a great match and I hope we can get the victory.”_
Martinelli was also asked about former Arsenal teammate Kieran Tierney, who is now back with Scotland.
_“He’s my guy!”_, he said._“When I arrived, he arrived in the same year if I’m not mistaken. He’s very kind, very humble and very fast.”_
_“We used to joke about who was faster in training. In my opinion, it was him.”_
The Arsenal forward added that he continues to support Tierney, although he hopes the Scot does not enjoy too much success when the two meet.
_“He’s great and doing well with Scotland now. I hope he doesn’t play too well against us, but I’m always rooting for him.”_
**Arteta and Ancelotti offer different experiences**
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Gabriel Martinelli was also asked about the challenge of working under both Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti.
The winger acknowledged that the two managers have very different methods and admitted he has to mentally adjust each time he joins the national team.
_“Their style is very different”_, he stated._“When I come here I have to switch the key, but they’re two great managers and I’m happy and honoured to be working with them.”_
Martinelli was then asked what he still needs to do to convince Ancelotti that he deserves a place in Brazil’s starting XI.
_“I’ll leave that to him. It’s the manager’s decision and the coaching staff’s decision.”_
_“What I can do with Arsenal is give my best, help the team with goals, assists and good performances. Here as well, every day in training, I give my maximum and show him that I’m ready.”_
_“Whether it’s to start the match or come on in the second half, I’m prepared.”_
Martinelli spoke repeatedly about adaptability, work ethic and putting the team first. Whether deployed on the left, the right or even in defence, his message remained consistent throughout the conversation: he is ready to contribute wherever he is needed.